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Showing posts from June, 2012

Busch Gardens Tampa Review

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I booked a package deal online. It was Buy 2 Nights, Get 1 Night Free at a Busch Garden Tampa Official & Approved Hotel. We chose the Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa North. We loved it. I also purchased the Busch Gardens Tampa with Adventure Island Free Length Of Stay Ticket. I thought that meant I could go to either park as many times as I wanted for the length of my stay. Unfortunately, the tickets were for one (1) day at Busch Gardens and (1) day at Adventure Island only. I didn't find that out until I was going through the gates at the park. So I ended up having to get a rain check because it was raining HARD and didn't look like it would let up anytime soon. The weather was supposed to be sunny the next day. The guest relations person was very nice about helping us get our rain check. However, I was very disappointed in the misleading advertisement of the ticket. Here is what the ticket's Legal Terms states: "Unlimited admission to Busch Garde

Remembering Zane Giveaway!

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J.S. Wilsoncroft, author of Remembering Zane, is giving away three (3) copies of an ebook version! All you need to do is follow PrincessReviews and leave a comment with your email  so we know how to contact you if you win! Random.org will be used to select the winners!! How Many Winners: 3 What to Win: Ebook of Remembering Zane Who Can Enter: Followers of PrincessReviews International How to Enter: Leave Comment WITH EMAIL Dates: Saturday and Sunday June 30 & July 1 (Winner won't be chosen until later - I'll be in OBX until July 3rd) Summary from Amazon: Publication Date:   June 19, 2012 Second Edition. E-book, Novella, Write More Publications "Pocket Book." Synopsis: At ten years old, Bonnie Reese knew the minute she laid eyes on Zane Withers that he would forever have a place in her heart. After years of  dating , then finally going their separate ways, Bonnie always dreamed that eventually they would find their way back back to each other. But those d

Hampton Inn and Suites Tampa North Busch Gardens Review

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We went to Tampa, FL for a short vacation. We stated at Hampton Inn & Suites from May 31-June 3, 2012. We had a little trouble finding the hotel because the road that it is on is a circular road and we entered the first drive when we got off the highway and had to travel all the way around the drive to find the hotel. So when you exit the highway, go to the second Hidden River Parkway entrance off of Fletcher Ave. I made my reservations through Busch Gardens website as part of a package. So when I went to the front desk, all I had to show was my ID and credit card. We arrived around 5p.m. on May 31st and the front desk attendant was very nice and helpful. We had a room on the fourth floor, and as we were bringing in our bags, a nice hotel employee invited us to the Manager's Reception. She was very nice to our children. I believe her name was Nicole. She was the one everyone was raving about on the reviews. It was kind of cool that she was the next person we

The Statue of Ku

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The Statue of Ku is the second book in the Moa series by Tricia Stewart Shiu.  Moa, in her new human body, and her new friends, are all in for another adventure, this time, in Egypt! They are trying to located the Statue of Ku, an heirloom that is rightfully Moa's. Moa and Hillary jump into a limo and are taken to a private jet to the royal palace of the King of Egypt, but when Moa doesn't have any identification, they are taken to a holding cell. Thankfully, the Prince needs their help to find the statue, so they are taken to the palace. There, they meet Molly and Heidi, and having no money of their own and being allowed room and food at the palace, they reluctantly decide to stay and help the prince locate Moa's statue.  But while they are at a traditional Egyptian market, looking for the statue, Moa gets lost. Molly, Heidi, and Hillary go out to look for her, but end up trapped in a crate with a baby when Hillary falls and a baby thief claims she can help.  Meanwhile, K

Pre-Written Interview with Tricia Stewart Shiu

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Please enjoy this interview with Tricia Stewart Shiu, author of the paranormal YA novel with a literary bent  Moa . Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $6000 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, 5 autographed copies of  Moa , and 5 autographed copies of its sequel,  Statue of Ku . 1. The Moa Book series has a metaphysical theme. Do you have any expertise in this area? I am an energetic intuitive and have a talent for creating powerful healing essential oil blends and gem elixirs. The unearthing of these talents occurred as I embarked on a metaphysical journey, which included studies in mediumship, pagan and Huna rituals as well as an energy healing technique called “Crystalline Consciousness Technique.” I also studied a variety of shamanic clearing methods and healing rituals. 2. You get pretty heavy into the metaphysical. Are you, in fact, a witch? < strong> Like, Hillary, I question who I am on a daily, sometimes hourly

Tricia Stewart Shiu Guest Post

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Please enjoy this guest post by Tricia Stewart Shiu, author of the paranormal YA novel with a literary bent  Moa . Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $6000 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, 5 autographed copies of  Moa , and 5 autographed copies of its sequel,  Statue of Ku . The Story Behind Moa by Tricia Stewart Shiu I've always loved Hawaii and was thrilled when my husband booked a visit for us to see his relatives in Honolulu, Hawaii in October of 2006. We packed light and brought our daughter, who was three-years-old at the time. Our condo was close to parks and monuments that oozed history. We enjoyed wandering around and indulging in the local cuisine. I even tried poi and liked it! The morning after we arrived, I rose early to push my daughter’s stroller through the quiet, cool morning air. It felt like such a gift to experience Honolulu before the rest of the island was up. After a hearty island breakfast, we

Moa

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Title: Moa Author: Tricia Stewart Shiu Series: Moa About the Author: (Amazon) Tricia Stewart Shiu is an award winning,  screenwriter , author and playwright, but her passion lies in creating mystical stories. Her latest series, The Moa Books, which includes Moa, The Statue of Ku and The Iron Shinto, were, by far her favorite to write. Summary: (Goodreads) Hillary Hause is not a witch. But, everyone in her conservative small town thinks so. When she is given a trip to Hawaii for graduation, this energetic eighteen-year-old anticipates adventure but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit. With the help of her older sister, Molly and her seven-year-old niece, Heidi, Hillary embarks on a journey in which she not only saves herself, her family and Moa, but also the Hawaiian Islands. In the end, she learns to accept herself and her spiritual gifts warts and all. I'd Recommend to... adult women for a nice summer read M

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser - Dover, DE (Advertisement)

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ALL YOU CARE TO EAT JULY 14, 2012 4-7 pm ADULTS : $8.00                         YOUTHS (5-10) : $5.00                                                                  Under 4: FREE Sponsored by: BETHEL #7 1478 Wyoming Mill Rd. Dover, DE. 19904 Call for more information: Carolyn (302-632-9509) or Mollie ((302-229-5416)

Dawn Colclasure Guest Post

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Guest post by Dawn Colclasure!  The Mother-Daughter Book: A Treasure to Cherish When I received a review copy of Between the Lines , a new novel by Jodi Picoult and her daughter Samantha van Leer, I had to smile. Seeing yet another mother-daughter book reminded me of my own newest book, which happens to be a book that my daughter and I co-wrote. Admittedly, when I asked my daughter, Jennifer Wilson, if she wanted to co-write a poetry book about dogs with me, I did so on a whim. I thought it would be a fun project for us to do. Something just for her and I to share together. I never imagined that one day, our little collaboration project would turn into an actual book. But Jennifer knows that I am not someone who just writes a book then tosses it to the wind. I have been writing books since before she was born, and she is well aware of how I write books on the computer that turn into real books that people can hold in their hands. And so it happened that she asked me if our little b

The Prodigal Husband: Book Review

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The Prodigal Husband is about Tori and Jake and what happens when their 15-month-old daughter is killed in a car wreck. Jake runs away and disappears for a year, thinking it's all his fault. The reader finds out that it is partially both their fault and then not their fault at all. Let me explain, as an inspirational (Christian) fiction book, the main focus is that everything is in God's control and that we should be forgiving of others as indicated by the title. In the parable told by Jesus in the Bible, the prodigal son asked for his inheritance early, went out and spent it up partying and such until he was destitute. Poor and ashamed, the son returns home hoping that his father will at least give him a job. However, when the father sees the son, he welcomes him with open arms and holds a celebration, giving the son back his status in the family. Well, Tori doesn't exactly welcome Jake back with open arms. In the first place, Tori found Jake in bed with his business par

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother: Book Review

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Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua was an easy, conversational read. It is the memoir of a Chinese American woman born of immigrant parents and how she raised her children the "Chinese" way even in American society and what she learned. It seems like an honest memoir. I don't know why people were sending this woman hate mail. It was her story, her life. They would not want anyone telling them how to raise their children. So who are they to say that she raised her children wrong? I believe she did an excellent job. Her girls are achievers who know their self worth and know that they are capable of anything and everything. I'm impressed with the author's tenacity and love for her girls. Just reading through this I'm wondering how much sleep she was able to get. How she ever really had any time for anything else. But I believe she put the emphasis on the right things for her daughters. I would be doing well to have a third of the passion she has for he

Mike Evers Guest Post!

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An introduction to the Hopfield Tales – by Mike Evers Mike Evers – The story so far… First, I would like to thank Tasha for giving me an opportunity to write about my work on her wonderful blog.  I am the author of The Spirit Archer - a historical children’s novella published through GMTA Publishing .  It’s a coming-of-age story and it features a famous English legend in a way which is probably a bit different to what you’re used to. I know Tasha has already helped get the word out about Spirit Archer, so I’m already in her debt. I’ve also written The Chaosifier - a YA contemporary fantasy novel, which I’ve put on Amazon.  It’s about a group of magical creatures who are tasked with solving some fairly major problems (WW3 for example!) and end up on quite an adventure. Viking Raven Banner The Hopfield Tales All of the stories I’ve written so far are set in the fictional town of Hopfield.  The name is an amalgamation of the town where I live and a village nearby (Mirfield and

Sherry Gloag Interview!

I recently had the chance to interview author Sherry Gloag! :)  1. What age did you start to take writing seriously? I had two attempts at writing seriously.  The first was in the early 1990’s, and the next from 2006.  The second attempt has been stimulating, frustrating, awe-inspiring, and such a learning curve it sometimes took my breath away J 2. When was your first book published? The Brat, published by The Wild Rose Press in October 2010 was my first published book.  It is a contemporary romance with a dash of suspense. 3. What color is your hair? I believe ‘Pepper and Salt’ is an apt description . 4. Who is your favorite musician? This is actually not an easy answer because it totally depends on my mood.  In Classical it ranges from Tchaikovsky to Carl Jenkins and Faure to name just a few.  For relaxation Medwyn Goodall.  Then there’s Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua, and several jazz musicians, too. 5. What is your favorite television show? Difficult question since I watch very lit

Dragon's Pupils: The Peaks

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Title: The Peaks Author: Martin Chu Shui Series: Dragon's Pupils Summary: (Amazon) Powerful and invincible they ride across vast desert landscapes, hunting and slaying vampires under the cover of night. Jian Ke, the sword guests are more famous than ever! Admired by millions of TV fans around the nation as they pursue a life of action and adventure: a splendid tapestry depicting Liz, Henry and Sue at the top of their game. With her paintbrush in hand Liz is prepared to take on a hoard of vampires, an army of aliens and even her first kiss from the man of her dreams, Sue’s handsome older brother.  Life couldn’t be better until everything falls to pieces.  Liz must now face her biggest fears as the world she once knew slips through her fingers. No-one will be left untouched by the chaos which ensues. Armed only with her knowledge of Tai Chi, Liz must fight for what she has lost and  begin  the climb of her life. An unforgettable journey will take her to the Peaks. “Dragon’